Wandsworth police officer Melanie Davies sacked for assault

A police officer attached to Wandsworth borough has been dismissed following a misconduct hearing.

PC Melanie Davies, who was found guilty of assault at Thames Magistrates’ Court on August 31, failed to meet the required standards of professional behaviour in respect of: honesty and integrity, discreditable conduct and authority, respect and courtesy, the hearing found.

The court heard that PC Davies, while on sick leave, was refused service at the Bat and Ball pub in Stratford due to intoxication and proceeded to assault a staff member before exiting.

The officer was fined £430 after being found guilty in August.

Assistant Commissioner Helen King, lead for professionalism and chairwoman of the hearing, said: “Police officers are granted powers over their fellow citizens to enforce the law on others and, where necessary, to use force in order to do so.

“This requires that the public and law makers have confidence that those entrusted to uphold the law will comply with it themselves, both on and off duty.

“Some cases are clearly more serious than others both in the category of the offence and all the surrounding circumstances.

“An offence of assault, however minor, is one that has to be seen as serious given the nature and responsibilities of a police officer’s role.

“Therefore the only appropriate action for PC Davies in this case is dismissal.”

The hearing was held yesterday (November 29) by the Metropolitan Police.